You could consider Python. Google has a very basic Python class to get you started: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/. The Hitchhiker's Guide To Python may be a nice resource along the way also: http://docs.python-guide.org/en/latest/index.html. Another good resource is Learn Python The Hard Way, which throws you in the deep end but gets you going fast with the basics: http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/. You don't need much to get started, Gedit or Kate both already have syntax highlighting for Python source code, though you may want to look into a lightweight programmer's editor like Geany to get a little more productive as your programming skills grow (you can install it from the Software Manager; I recommend you also install geany-plugins for some extra tools). But there are plenty of other programmer's editors and IDEs suitable for use with Python, though again you don't need to concern yourself with that while you are starting to learn the language.

Many programs developed by Linux Mint are actually written in Python, like the Software Manager and Update Manager for example. Programming with Python is fun, at least I think so